Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says that he acted to bring Tom Heaton into his squad because of his experience and leadership qualities.
Villa have been highly active in the transfer window this summer ahead of their first season back in the Premier League and former Burnley and England keeper Heaton is one of their biggest signings.
I'm very surprised that we managed to get Tom. He's been a very successful keeper for Burnley.
Dean Smith
The 33-year-old moved to Villa Park last week and Smith said he was delighted to secure the deal.
He told the club's official website: "We've recruited very well with players who have a lot of hunger and drive to do well.
"Tom gives us that experience but he has also got that personality of a leader in and around the dressing room – and one I thought would do well for us.
"I'm very surprised that we managed to get Tom. He's been a very successful keeper for Burnley. He played the last 19 games and was pivotal in their resurgence in the league."
Smith also explained his other recent transfer dealings. He made Marvelous Nakamba his 12th signing of the summer last week, the player moving from Club Brugge as did striker Wesley earlier in the window.
"He's another one we've looked at quite a lot," he added. "I've been watching Bjorn Engels when I was at Brentford so I've watched Club Brugge play a number of times when he was there. But also when we were watching Wesley, we also saw Marvelous in the same team.
"I've seen a lot of the two of them and we were fortunate to get both of those deals done."
Villa, promoted back to the Premier League after beating Derby in the Championship play-off final, play away at Tottenham in their first game back in the top flight.
They are 9/1 to win on Saturday with Mauricio Pochettino's side 3/10 and the draw 17/4.
Villa are 4/1 to finish in the top half of the Premier League table while Burnley are 6/1.
View all Soccer betting
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says that he acted to bring Tom Heaton into his squad because of his experience and leadership qualities.
Villa have been highly active in the transfer window this summer ahead of their first season back in the Premier League and former Burnley and England keeper Heaton is one of their biggest signings.
I'm very surprised that we managed to get Tom. He's been a very successful keeper for Burnley.
Dean Smith
The 33-year-old moved to Villa Park last week and Smith said he was delighted to secure the deal.
He told the club's official website: "We've recruited very well with players who have a lot of hunger and drive to do well.
"Tom gives us that experience but he has also got that personality of a leader in and around the dressing room – and one I thought would do well for us.
"I'm very surprised that we managed to get Tom. He's been a very successful keeper for Burnley. He played the last 19 games and was pivotal in their resurgence in the league."
Smith also explained his other recent transfer dealings. He made Marvelous Nakamba his 12th signing of the summer last week, the player moving from Club Brugge as did striker Wesley earlier in the window.
"He's another one we've looked at quite a lot," he added. "I've been watching Bjorn Engels when I was at Brentford so I've watched Club Brugge play a number of times when he was there. But also when we were watching Wesley, we also saw Marvelous in the same team.
"I've seen a lot of the two of them and we were fortunate to get both of those deals done."
Villa, promoted back to the Premier League after beating Derby in the Championship play-off final, play away at Tottenham in their first game back in the top flight.
They are 9/1 to win on Saturday with Mauricio Pochettino's side 3/10 and the draw 17/4.
Villa are 4/1 to finish in the top half of the Premier League table while Burnley are 6/1.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com